Blog 33 - 7th to 14th February 2014

Friday 7th February - we leave the caravan park in Port Augusta and check out the Arid Area Botanic Gardens in town - had a wander around for a while and checked out the plants and flowers. From here we decide to head inland as the Mt Remarkables NP is closed due to the fires. So we start towards Quorn and had a look around town. From here we went to Wilmington, and on seeing the toy museum sign, decide we need to stop in for a look. Turns out that the owner not only collects toys, but also Land Rovers too. After a quick look at the little toys, we go out the back to see some of the bigger toys - over 26 Landies. And then he shows us the scale models he has made in his spare time - very impressive.

Decide to drive just out of town to Hancock's lookout for lunch, and the views out over the water of Spencer Gulf is very impressive. Back to town, and we continue onto Orroroo where we stop for a drink, and then to Peterborough. From here we take some back roads and tracks to check out a free camp at Aprila Springs which is supposed to be a permanent waterhole - it did indeed have water, but very little and the facilities were quite dirty, so we continue to another spot at Bowman Park just out of Crystal Brook - the temp is now in the 40's, so we decide to cool off under the water sprinklers on the oval - must have looked like right-royal gits out in the middle of nowhere running around under the sprinklers - but it was cool.

Saturday 8th - had a quick drive through Crystal Brook, with some very impressive old buildings. From here to Port Pirie, where we do some shopping and try to find an optometrist as Di has something stuck in her eye - no such luck as it is a Saturday. Further south to port Broughton, where the hospital is open, so we go in thinking it will be a long process to eventually see a doctor. After 10 minutes, the nurse has flushed out Di eye, and then the doctor turns up to make sure it is all OK - and all under Medicare - what a bonus. Further south to Wallaroo, where the ferry from Lucky Bay across the gulf docks, and we arrive just in time to see it reverse into the jetty and lots of cars drive off.  Continuing on, we drive to moonta, and then to Moonta Bay, and then to Port Hughes. We then decide to head to a free spot at The Gap where we go for a paddle in the shallow water, but the heat combined with the strong winds convinces us to drive a bit further to Balgowan. A nice caravan park right besides the cliff banked beach,

with another beach around the corner for a swim - we cool off again before dinner with the flies.

Sunday 9th - did some washing (free) and then packed as the wind had picked up. Into Maitland, which again has some nice old buildings, all built with local stone - then to Port Victoria for another look around - finally to Minlaton to the info centre, and then some lunch. From here to Hardwicke Bay and Point Turton, before driving to Marion Bay and the Innes NP, where we are planning on staying for a few days. We drive into each of the camp sites, and along several km's of bad dirt road to Browns Beach at the very end,

before deciding to stay at Pondalowie Bay campground - a great spot with nice separate spots and a clean toilet - lots of wildlife around too.

Monday 10th - up early for a walk down to the beach and around the headland to see the West Cape lighthouse. We then decide to spend the day exploring the Innes NP, stopping in at each and every one of the lookouts, doing some of the walks, and checking out some of the shipwreck sites. Stopped in at West Cape,

Ethel beach, Cape Spencer lighthouse,

and then the view along the coast,

and Cable Bay. After this we do a walk around Stenhouse Bay, where gypsum used to be mined for gyprock sheeting. Then into Marion Bay for a wander around and some lunch. A quick stop in at Wilyama Bay before back to camp for a relaxing afternoon where Di draws a picture.

Tuesday 11th - after spending yesterday exploring within the NP, today we decide to head north of the park, and explore along the coast. We drive as far as Corny Point to the lighthouse (very rugged coast along these here parts, thus lots of lighthouses - and even then, lots of shipwrecks too). Just south of here was Berry Bay beach, with a great view along the coast.

We drive to the south end and decide to go for a swim - finally some surf to catch some VERY small waves, but at least it wasn't flat like most areas.

Then to Point Annie, Swincer Rocks, Gleesons Landing, and then every guys farourite place - Daly Head - not nearly as good as it sounds. But the views were spectacular, both out to sea

and also down along the coast and sanddunes.

We had lunch and then continued to the last place, Gym beach, where we go for a walk, but the sun is so hot it burns our feet. Once back in the NP, we drop in to Chinaman's Hat beach and decide to go for a snorkel along the rocks collecting shells.

Back to camp for a much needed shower to wash off the salt water.

Wednesday 12th - a much cooler and overcast day today, and it is also windy, so we won't be going swimming. After a relaxed start, we drive around to Pondalowie surf beach and spent some time on the boardwalk watching the surfers catch some small waves.

We also watch the dolphins cruising up and down along the beach, and can only imagine what the surfers first think when they see the fins breach the water.

Not much else happens today, but it is nice to have a "nothing" day.

Thursday 13th - a bit of rain overnight, and then starts to drizzle as we pack up. From here along the south coast of the peninsula, stopping at Meehans Hill lookout,

and then Kangaroo Island lookout, but the weather is turning ugly so we can't see much at all. Then past Foul Bay (smelt bad too!!!) before stopping in at Yorketown, where we do some shopping and then a coffee as it is now raining steadily. We continue to Edithburgh, which we are sure is a lovely little seaside town but the rain spoilt it. The next town is Stansbury, where we stop for lunch in a cafe. From here we consult WikiCamps to find a caravan park which also has a camp kitchen, as the rain will not let up. We set-up quickly, but still get soaked, and then dry off in the games room watching some TV.

Friday 14th (VD) - rain all night, and during the night we found out that the tent leaks, and on packing it up, it also has a tear in the canvas - so not a good start to the day. And we get soaked packing it away, so this is worse. Breakfast at a cafe, before heading to Port Wakefield. Heavy rain all morning, with not a break - it continues thru lunch, and we finally decide it might be better to find a motel / cabin / solid roof for the night. End up stopping at Balaklava caravan park in a cabin. Di cooks a wonderful dinner and we watch some TV before an early night.

The above few things just add to our list of things to get fixed in Adelaide, so we might be there a bit longer to get it all done - and also see some of the sights.

More to come soon.

Di and Hammo

Blog 32 - 29th January to 6th February 2014

Wednesday 29th January - camped at the caravan park at Port Lincoln, and the wind blew all night, so a lazy morning before we are due for our fish processing factory tour at 11am. Before this, we go for a drive down to the marina where the fishing fleet is moored - Port Lincoln has the largest fleet of commercial boats in Australia, and there is a HUGE amount of money tied up to the jetty.

On the tour, we get to see how the fish is weighed, and then filleted, and also how calamari is prepared, and also how fresh oysters are shucked - Di got to have 2 as I won't even think about trying one. At the end we are given a sample plate of some fresh seafood and also some smoked and preserved types too. We both agree we are happier sampling the seafood rather than doing the hard, manual, stinky work involved to get them to the plate. Had to stay for a lunch of fresh cooked fish, S&P calamari, and chips. After lunch we went for a look around town, with the first stop being the old mill, that was completed but never used - nice view over the town.

Then to the big lookout over the entire region before wondering around some other spots and finally into the info centre to book our spot at Memory Cove in the Lincoln NP - managed to get a spot for the next 2 nights. Back to camp.

Thursday 30th - up early and went for a walk along the trail by the edge of the water - nice views over the bay. Back to camp, pack-up, re-stock with food and fuel, and we then make our way out of town to the Lincoln NP, and follow the signs to Memory Cove. We have been given a permit and a key to access the locked gate, and after letting ourselves through, we follow the track for another 18km's until we finally get to our campsite. WOW - what a place!!!!

Another perfect beach and we are camped just behind the high tide line, with views out over the ocean. We go for a swim, and then Di does some more paintings. After dinner, we are watching the ocean and see a pod of dolphins jumping off in the distance.

Friday 31st - a lazy day, with a sleep in and then a liesurely breakfast. After this we go for a walk to the headland, which looks out over the islands.

From here we can see a seal swimming around, chasing something to eat in the water. Back to camp for a swim in the water before some lunch. Di did another painting and I read some magazines. Lots of march flies (that bite) and bees (that don't) but not the worst things to cope with in life.

Saturday 1st - we pack and leave Memory Cove, driving along the bush track until we get to the main road, and then decide to explore the rest of the NP. First stop is Surfleet Cove, and then Fishermans Point, but we decided to continue onto September Beach. We were the only ones there and couldn't understand it as the beach was spectacular.

It was only later that evening that we were joined by one other group who invited us to their camp for a chat and some drinks. During the day we went for a couple of swims, and just lazed around a bit.

Sunday 2nd - Di went for a walk and I went for a run along the beach, before we both had a swim to cool off, and then some breakfast. Di got some really nice piccies of the sunrise over the water. Back into town to drop off the key and refill with water, and then we headed for Coffin Bay NP. Stopped in at a couple of places along the way, including Templetonia lookout, Almonta beach, Golden Island lookout, and Point Avoid. Had lunch at the camp spot called Little Yangie Bay, but decided to check out the 4WD track further up the coast. After letting the tyres down, we hit the sand, and all was going smoothly until we hit some REALLY soft sand. It was over 40 degrees outside the car, and suddenly I was shovelling sand to try to get the diff off the centre hump. We finally hooked the winch up to a guy coming the other way, and dragged ourselves out of the soft patch - it was only about 50 metres long, and after this we had no further dramas, reaching camp at Black Springs in the late afternoon. Set-up camp just behind the dunes, and went down to the beach for a relaxing, cooling swim - much needed. Saw several pods of dolphins out in the bay.

Monday 3rd - the weather changed dramatically overnight, with the temps now in the low 20's - made the trip back throught the sand very easy. Di got some oysters from Coffin Bay, and we were back in Port Lincoln again for another re-stock of food before heading to Tumby Bay, where we stop for a coffee. At this stage the wind is howling, and we are starting to wonder about how much fun it will be that night in the camper. But we press on, detouring into Lipson Cove to a $10 campsite on the beach - recommended by James and Amy, and others too. Decided to face into the wind and got the camper set-up before going for a walk along the beach collecting shells. Watched a guy out kitesurfing in the 40km/h wind, and he was getting some amazing air, and doing tricks and flips and spins - but he didn't make all the landings and had to swim for his board a couple of times. Got dinner cooked and decided bed would be a good option. Over the course of the next 10 hours, we got about 30 minutes sleep, as the wind picked up, and we were waited for our camper to be blown away, or the canvas to be ripped off. A truly horrible night - should have stayed at the pub!!!

Tuesday 4th - up early, packed quickly, and out of camp by 8am. Drove up the coast looking for somewhere to have breakfast, and a very strong coffee. Nothing in Port Neill, so we continued to Arno Bay, where the kind man in the cafe listened to our plight, and made us breakfast - yum. To try to escape the wind, we decide to head inland to check out Gawler Ranges NP. Wikicamps told us there was a cheap camping area in Minnipa, but it had been closed only months previous. We decide to do a quick tour of the NP in the next 4 hours, first stopping at Pildabba Rock (a mini Wave Rock),

then to the Organ Pipes (similar to Sawpit Gorge near Narrabri),

and finally to Policemans Point (a dry waterfall which would have looked nice with some water). Then back to the highway, staying at Wudinna in the caravan park. We really should have had a relaxing day after so little sleep the night before, but we covered a lot of ground and saw a lot of things - we slept very well that night.

Wednesday 5th - looked around the rock formations just outside of Wudinna, and then back to Kyancutta, and on to Kimba (not the white lion). This town is known as the halfway point across Australia,

but is also the home of the Big Galah - we named him Simon.

From here back to the coast at Cowell for lunch and some more oysters for Di, before continuing to Whyalla for the night. Passed the mine coming into town, and then saw the steel mill and shipyards in town - so a decent sized place, but really just another mining town. Camped at the footy fields for the night, and went to the clubhouse where Di played bingo and I had a drink or 3 at the bar.

Thursday 6th - drove to the lookout in town,

and then a coffee on the esplanade, before a wander through the art gallery. Then about 30km's out of town to Point Lowly and Fitzgerald Bay, and a wander around the lighthouse,

before we decide to continue on to Port Augusta. Had a late lunch down by the water, and then to the info centre to be told that the NP we wanted to stay at (Mt Remarkables) had been closed due to fires over the last 3 weeks. Decide to stay in town at a caravan park that has a pool - it is 40 degrees today so a cool off is needed.

We have now completed the Eyre Peninsula, and will now start our way down the Yorke Peninsula and explore this area.

More to come soon

Di and Hammo

Blog 31 - 20th to 28th January 2014

Check out our blog 30 - I have uploaded some pictures of the beaches around Esperance - some of the nicest beaches we have been to.

Monday 20th Jan - left Esperance and headed East to Cape Le Grande NP to spend a few days. Got there and had to choose between staying at Lucky Bay (more tourists) or Le Grande Beach (more locals) so we chose the locals camping area. What a great choice this was. We had a pick of 5 sites, and got one that was a bit protected, facing north, and with a private toilet for only 3 sites. But the big winner was the beach just over the small sandhill - what a spectacular sight, with more blinding white sand, stunning turquoise blue water, and islands off in the distance.

And at the back of us was the mountain ranges, with Frenchmans Peak in the distance. After setting up, we head to the beach for a swim, where it was colder out of the water than in it - but nice for a cool off.

Then some lunch before jumping in the car for a short drive to Frenchmans Peak for a walk / climb up to the top. By this time, the wind was howling, and the sheltered areas at the top were pleasant, but the climb back down was a bit hairy. The views from the top was amazing, with beaches off in the distance.

Stopped in a massive cave near the top, and got mobile reception so made a few calls.

Tuesday 21st - after a windy night, and waking to an overcast day, we decided to drive to each of the bays / inlets / beaches. Di jumped in the drivers seat and we headed for Rossiter Bay first (named after David's great grandfather), and then to Lucky Bay

where the other campsite was - a lot bigger in area, but also more crammed in too. Then to Thistle Cove,

before finally into Hellfire Bay, which gets our vote as the best beach in the area by far. Back to camp for lunch and then another swim, and a shower later to wash the salt water off.

Wednesday 22nd - today is Di's big birthday, so she has decided we should stay another day and spend some time back at Hellfire Bay.

After lots of time wanting the water to get a bit warmer, we finally take the plunge and go for a swim off the rocks and paddle around to the beach. Then we sit up on the rocks warming up in the sun. Back to camp again for lunch and a leisurely afternoon. A bit later we go for a walk along the rocks at the end of the beach, and then we chat to our neighbours late into the night.

Thursday 23rd - we were planning on heading to Cape Arid and then the back road up to Balladonia, but the huge storms in Kalgoorlie are moving towards that area, so we decide to return to Esperance and up to Norseman before crossing the Nullarbor. As we are about to leave, we meet up with some friends from Cape Range near Exmouth who are driving back to town along the beach, so we decide to join then for the 22km's of sand driving and then a bit of tar, rather than the 60km's of tar. It was lovely driving along the sand, looking out at the water.

We are in Norseman for lunch, and then start our way across the Nullarbor, stopping at Fraser Range rest stop for the night. Since leaving Esperance, it been raining on and off, and it is quite different seeing this area with lots of water around and being in the low-20's - something we didn't expect after hearing it was mid-40's the previous week.

Friday 24th - left the free spot and continued east, stopping first at Newman Rocks (a sloping rock shelf) and then Caiguna blowholes (a small hole in the rocks about 2 metres deep). We had wanted to see Baxter Cliffs (hoping it would be a bit more spectacular), but with all of the rain, the road was closed. Then past Cocklebiddy and Madura, before stopping 10km's before Mundrabilla at another free rest area for the night.

This will be our last night in WA, and in all we would have spent over 5 months in WA - an amazing state, with so much to see and do.

Saturday 25th - first stop today was Eucla, where we drove to the telegraph station which is slowly being consumed by the moving sand dunes.

Then we cross the border into SA,

and we change the clocks - all of a sudden it is afternoon, and we seem to have not got far today. We stop in at the 3 lookouts along the coast, which allow fantastic views along the Great Australian Bight and the cliffs along the coast.

We then hit the actual Nullarbor Plains, which are exactly as they are described - a treeless plain with only low scrub. On and on we drive, until we take a turn-off to Fowlers Bay, where we book into the caravan park for the night. A nice spot right on the water, with massive sand dunes behind town that look like they might consume it at any moment. With the change of time zone, it now becomes dark much later (after 9pm) so this messes with our heads a bit.

Sunday 26th - we also found that the sun comes up much later (around 7am) so we got to see our first sunrise in a long time when we went for a walk / run around town.

After packing, we head first to Cactus Beach which is renowned for its surfing, and then through Penong, before we finally get close to Ceduna where the quarantine check-point is. Rather than go through, we detour out to Denial Bay for lunch (and to finish off the last of our fresh fruit and veges) before back through the check-point and a quick look around Ceduna. From here we drive down the Eyre Peninsula, stopping in at Smoky Bay and Haslam, before finding a great spot right on the sand at Perlubie Beach.

After setting up next to a shelter we go in for a swim, but the water is very shallow and even after walking out a fair way, the water still only comes up to our thighs - but deep enough to fall in and cool off. We watch the sun set over the water.

Monday 27th - had breaky overlooking the ocean, and then packed and continued exploring along the coast. Had a quick look around Streaky Bay, and then to Sceale Bay.

Then to Point Labatt

where we drive out to the lookout and watch some sea lions basking in the sun, while others are frolicking in the water and you would swear they were playing a game of "chasings" - lots of fun to watch.

Then to Port Kenny and Venus Bay where we had some lunch overlooking the bay. had a walk along the jetty and then up to the lookout. Drive further south to Walkers Rocks to camp for the night. Had a swim at the lagoon beach and then a cool shower to wash off the salt water.

Tuesday 28th - after packing up the camper, we went for another swim, this time at the open beach where the water was MUCH colder, before back for a shower again and breakfast. Stopped in at Elliston for a coffee, and then the info centre. Did both of the cliff drives around town, with some really nice views over the limestone cliffs.

Further south was Locks Well to the lookout, and then we decide to continue to Port Lincoln to re-stock with supplies, and also to arrange our NP passes for the next 2 months - $80 which covers park entry and all camping fees. Then we book in at the caravan park for 2 nights, do some shopping, and then go out for dinner at the Pier Hotel, where we both have seafood - Port Lincoln is the biggest fishing fleet in Australia, and is where most tuna is caught.

We plan to visit both Coffin Bay NP and Lincoln NP while we are here, and then will head north east up the other side of the Eyre Peninsula.

More to come soon.

Di and Hammo